On November 19, 2025, Prof. Han Zhaoying, Director of the Library of Nankai University and Professor at the Zhou Enlai School of Government, was invited to deliver a lecture titled “University Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” as part of the course “Introduction to Area Studies” for undergraduate students at the School of Foreign Studies (SFS) at Nankai University. The lecture was chaired by Prof. Yan Guodong, Dean of the School.
Starting from the profound impact of artificial intelligence on society and education, Prof. Han pointed out that AI is driving a transformation in research paradigms and modes of cognition, demonstrating particular potential in reshaping methodologies in the social sciences. He emphasized that, in the face of technological change, university education should uphold its mission of fostering both personal development and social betterment, while actively embracing digital transformation.
When discussing how university students should learn in the age of artificial intelligence, Prof. Han proposed three core competencies: the ability to acquire and evaluate knowledge, critical thinking, and the capacity for social interaction and resource integration. He stressed that although knowledge itself has not become obsolete in the AI era, learning methods must evolve. Students should shift from memorizing facts to discerning the authenticity of information and proactively acquiring the skills to utilize AI technologies. Furthermore, Prof. Han encouraged students of the SFS not only to deepen their language proficiency, but also to cultivate human-machine collaboration skills, data-oriented thinking, and technological literacy. Through critical inquiry and collaborative innovation, students can develop into well-rounded talents equipped with humanistic concern, digital competence, and a strong sense of social responsibility.
The lecture, simple and easy to understand, integrated cutting-edge technological insights with the fundamental purposes of education. It provided students with clear guidance on how to learn, achieve self-improvement, and shape their values in the age of artificial intelligence, and was met with an enthusiastic response from the audience.
